how can you practice at home? i couldn't, and not because of the noise. where i'm practicing, i have "practice neighbors" who play brass, and i got used to it - now i don't even hear them while i'm playing.
Yes, this is similar to how it was when I was in school. I feel that there were pros and cons.
Pros: I liked the fact that there was activity outside my little room so I didn't get too lonely, and sometimes it was fun to "spy" on my neighbors (could be inspiring too). Sometimes when I would get frustrated with something, I would seek out one of my best friends to play for him or him for me (and sometimes just to cry a little). It was great!
Cons: I found that I was more worried about what people would be hearing coming from my room, so I sometimes didn't take the steps necessary to thoroughly learn what I would have in other circumstances. Also, I was too shy to figure out my true body language because anybody could be peaking in the narrow little window and 'I might look stupid' (which seemed to happen somewhat often- (both

)).
Anyhow, going from there to practicing completely alone was really scary to me. I had never done this before. Suddenly it was just me and the piano with nobody to notice. But, I will say that I do enjoy it now.
I think that it is most important to be able to practice correctly no matter where you are, whose around, or whats going on around you (its good practice too

- for performing).
m1469